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Name that Part.....

BGKYK5

BGKYK5

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OK, so I swapped steering columns this weekend (long story). The column that came out of my '91 was not original and the PO hacked up the wiring to the column. The "new" column is out of my '89 parts truck. I think I have everything sorted out but the following three connectors.

The PO had this wired to a cheesy custom switch on the dash (you can see the holes where they mounted on either side of the red fan switch). He had done the same thing with the wipers (the column had no wiper controls, I fixed that too). I spliced the wires back to the three pin connector on the new column and plugged it in. The pic is of the column side of the connector.

connector 1.JPG

This one was wrapped up in duct tape. It looks like there is a diode or something jammed between the two pins.

connector 2.JPG

This one has a x-mas tree style pin that was stuck in the little panel that covers the gap under the column. It is a 4 pin connector with funny shaped pins.

connector 3.JPG

connector 1.JPG

connector 2.JPG

connector 3.JPG
 
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That makes sense. I haven't tried out the high beams yet. I'll check them tomorrow. Any input on the other two....
 
Third is definitely cruise, that piece sticking out of it is used to mount it to the metal bracket that bolts to the underside of the column, looks like that is missing in your pictures.

Never seen that connector with the diode, but looks like aftermarket wiring to me, maybe a fuse holder?
 
The connector with the diode in it is factory, I have the same thing under the dash of my 91 Burb. Don't know what it is for.
Tarey
 
Just because its there doesn't mean it's factory. Sort of like the external spare tire carriers. I'm not saying it isn't, just saying it seems a bit odd to be.

What does it do?
 
My 90 sub has one and my 88 crew cab had one. they must be used on computer controlled trucks only. I don't know it purpose yet, but will investigate.
 
I will try and remember to look it up in my wiring diagram tonight. There are enough of them out there that it certainly sounds like it could be factory. Not much aftermarket stuff is as prevalent as this sounds.
 
Quick update:

The first one is indeed the high beam switch (or so I assume since the high beams work :D )

Still dunno on the second one.

The third one was indeed the cruise control. It didn't look like it would go in at all, 'till I realized that it went in 90 degrees from the direction I was trying. :doah: I didn't even know that my '91 had cruise control. :D
 
In the '91 wiring manual, they show a two wire connector called a "diode assembly" which is tied into daytime running lamps. Any chance that's what these are?

Could be that all harnesses after X date got them so they were interchangeable US/Canadian.
 
I'll bet that is what it is. It is stll hard to believe GM pulled such a redneck move though. Jamming a diode down in a connector and taping it up? Yikes.
 
It is just jammed in there, not soldered to the terminals?

It probably doesn't matter, worst case it works loose and what, DRL stops working?

Does seem like a potential warranty/customer relations nightmare, but GM stopped caring about that long ago.
 
On mine that doide was taped up with a real sticky black duct tape. I'll have to unplug it and hopefully my DRL quit working :D I found that doing some rewiring in my engine compartment that GM used a lot of that black duct tape.
Tarey
 
That black tape just gets bad with age. Pretty sure it wasn't that nasty when new. :)

Forgot to check my wiring manual last night, sorry. Will make a reminder for myself now.
 
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